Scientific Research Job Outlook

Employment change. Wage and salary
employment in scientific research and development services is projected to
increase 9 percent between 2006 and 2016, compared with 11 percent employment
growth for the economy as a whole. Biotechnology and nanotechnology will
continue to attract research funding and generate employment growth. Increased
demand for medical and pharmaceutical advances also will lead to growth in these
areas as the population ages. While demand for new R&D is expected to continue
to grow across all major fields, this industry will continue to experience rapid
productivity growth as a result of advances in computer and communications
systems, reducing employment opportunities. Increasing international competition
should also dampen employment growth.

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Some of this slower job growth rate is attributable
to the stagnation of the office and administrative support occupations, which
are expected to see only modest employment growth as technology leads to greater
efficiency in general office functions. Similarly slow growth is expected in
other major occupational groups within the industry, but many new jobs will be
created in professional occupations.

Significant job growth is expected among computer
specialists, scientists, and engineers—particularly those in the life and
medical sciences. With the aging of the population, the demand for lifesaving
new drugs and procedures to cure and prevent disease will drive this demand.
Biological scientists, for example, may be employed in biotechnology or
pharmaceuticals, both growing areas. Many other scientists and engineers will be
employed in defense and security R&D, also a growing field. As information
technology continues to be an integral component of R&D, employment of computer
specialists is expected to grow rapidly, particularly for those with some
biological science background working in bioinformatics.

Job prospects. Opportunities for both
scientists and engineers are expected to be best for those who have doctoral
degrees, which prepare graduates for research. However, competition for basic
and applied research funding is expected to be keen in all fields. Creativity is
crucial, because scientists and engineers engaged in R&D are expected to propose
new research or designs. For experienced scientists and engineers, it also is
important to remain current and adapt to changes in technologies that may shift
interest—and employment—from one area of research to another.

Most R&D programs have long project cycles that
continue during economic downturns. However, funding of R&D, particularly by
private industry, is closely scrutinized during these periods. Since the Federal
Government provides a significant portion of all R&D funding, shifts in policy
also could have a marked impact on employment opportunities, particularly in
basic research and aerospace.